Box wrapping machine



Feb- 22, 1966 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR.. ETAL 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 22, 1966 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 a' 32M F e 82 V/I Fl'g. 2 7' 85 fil/(35 Q9 Feb 22, 1965 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL I 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 3

aadg; i 3/55 Feb- 22, 1936 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 22, 1966 w F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 2, 1963 Feb. 22, 1966 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL 3,236,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 BOX WRAPPING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed July 2, 1963 Feb 22, 1955 w. F. ANDRESEN, JR., ETAL 3,235,161

BOX WRAPPING MACHINE 9 Sheecs-Sheefl 8 Filed July 2, 1965 Feb. 22, 1966 Filed July 2, 1963 .LNBWEAOW d0 NOLLDQBK! CYCLE 'UME 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 BIS United States Patent O 3,236,161 BOX WRAPPING MACHINE William F. Andresen, Jr., Chalfont, Ludwig H. Lange,

Rockledge, and Donald W. Shelmire, Elkins Park, Pa.,

assignors to FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 2, 1963, Ser. No. 292,424 16 Claims. (Cl. 93-54.2)

This invention relates to box Wrapping machines for applying adhesively coated lsheet material such as wrappers, labels or the like generically termed wrappers to box structures such as set-up 4boxes and lids to form boxes, box covers, containers or the like generically termed boxes and has for an object the provision of .a box wrapping machine utilizing a metal plate construction which eliminates many of the expensive machining operations previously required on machines of cast construction while retaining the accuracy of box production and durability of prior cast machines.

Box wrapping machines operate at relatively high speeds, for example, in the range of 2() to 40 or more boxes per minute and during the course of a day, such machines wrap several thousands of boxes. Because of such substantially continuous operation, it has been necessary to provide the machines with sufficient durability to withstand the continuous use and to insure that they will maintain their Wrapping accuracy so as to be able to continuously produce acceptable boxes. Due to these very strict requirements, it has been the practice for many years to utilize heavy castings for producing the frames and structural portions of box wrapping machines. In utilizing cast frames, it is necessary to machine many `surfaces on the frames and at many different levels in order to support the various box wrapping tools and the like. Such machining operations usually must be performed one at a time and thus constitute a substantial portion of the cost of a box wrapping machine.

'In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a simplied construction utilizing as the basic components of the frame, flat metal plates which may be readily assembled to provide a sturdy and durable box wrapping machine. Many of the parts are identical, such as opposed parts, and thus may be machined in pairs. In some instances, there are two pairs of opposed parts and thus four parts may be machined simultaneously further contributing to a reduction in cost of production. Such construction also tends to minimize the number of spare parts which a box manufacturer needs to keep on hand for emergency purposes in the event of a breakdown.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a box wrapping machine which is capable of wrapping a wide range of box depths and at high rates of speed. Box wrapping machines of the type to which the present invention is applicable utilize a vertically reciprocable form block which is carried by an upper plunger and is adapted to be inserted into a set-up box positioned above an adhesive lWrapper, the latter being positioned above a form or platen on a lower plunger. As the upper plunger moves downwardly into the set-up box, it moves the box and wrapper assembly against the lower form and downwardly past wrapping tools which are positioned on the four Isides of the box. Since the ends of the flaps or panels on the Wrappers must be applied to the inside of the set-up box, the form block is divided into two sections, i.e., an upper form and middle form, and these sections must be separated while the flaps are being tucked into the box so that the upper section of the form may then force the ends of the wrapper aps into the box where they are subsequently pressed in place by means of presser blocks. The present invention provides means and lCC method for operating the upper and middle form blocks so as to minimize impact of the parts upon engagement and thereby enable the machine to operate -at higher rates of speed.

Such provision for improved smooth operation also contributes to the ability of the machine to wrap boxes over a wide ran-ge of sizes. It has frequently been the practice in the past to provide a machine of -a particular size and speed which was capable of wrapping boxes up to a maximum depth, for example 3% deep. For boxes of greater depth, it was necessary to utilize a larger machine and because of diferent speed requirements, it was not practical to wrap smaller boxes on the larger machine. In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for changing the stroke of the box plunger so that the machine may be readily adjusted to increase the maximum depth of box to be wrapped.

It is a further object of the invention to support the `slides for the box wrapping tools on the edges of structural plates and bars for adjustment relative to the center line of the box plunger and thereby eliminate many of the expensive machining operations heretofore required.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a box wrapping machine including a base frame and a lower plunger supported for vertical movement with respect to the base frame. The machine includes a pair of column plates extending above the base frame and a bearing plate supported between the column plates. An upper plunger is carried by the bearing plate for reciprocation relative to the lower plunger, and means is provided to adjust the bearing plate to align the upper plunger with the lower plunger. In a preferred form of the invention, the bearing plate is carried by 4a plurality of threaded rods supported at the upper ends of the column plates and the bearing plate is adapted to be locked in adjusted position along the threaded rods by means of nut members.

IIn accordance with another Iaspect of the invention, there is provided :a box wrapping machine including a base frame and a track extending across one pair of opposed sides of the frame. A second track extends across the other opposed sides of the frame and intersects with the rst track. A box plunger is disposed for vertical movement on the axis of the intersection of the tracks. A first pair of slides is carried by one of the tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of the plunger. A second pair of slides is carried by the other of the tracks and they are disposed on the opposite sides of the plunger. Each of the slides includes a plurality of box wrapping tools projecting therefrom in the direction of the plunger, yand lever means is connected with each of the slides, the lever means being operable from a central station to adjust each of the slides independently relative to the axis of the plunger. Each of the slides includes a vertical shaft and a plurality of cams on each of the shafts associated with cam followers for operating respective box wrapping tools. A Worm gear is carried by the lower ends of each of the vertical shafts and a pair of cross shafts support worms in engagement with each of the worm gears. The cross shafts include elongated keyways and each of the worms includes ya key carried thereby and slideable lengthwise of the keyways concurrently with their respective worm gears upon adjustment of the lever means.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided in a box wrapping system including a form block comprising an upper form and a middle form vertically separable from each other along a horizontal axis for permitting the turn-in of wrappers around the box during the wrapping operation, the method of operating one of the form sections from a main cam lever and the other of the form sections from an auxiliary cam lever, the main cam lever connecting with a main plunger including 4a form separating plate and the auxiliary cam lever connecting with stripper yoke rods wherein the form separating plate and the Istripper yoke rods are moved concurrently in a downward direction prior to the time they are brought into engagement and during their engagement to minimize vibration and to increase the speed of operation of the machine.

For a more detailed disclosure of the invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is to be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a box wrapping machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fractional side elevation taken from the left-hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation taken from the right-hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the plane 4 4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the column plates and bearing plate carried thereby;

FIG. 6 is a perspective View showing the construction of the frame and the tracks for the wrapping tool slides, the latter having been omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane 7-7 in FIG. 1 and showing the box wrapping tools carried by the side slides;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the plane 8--8 in FIG. 2 and showing the box wrapping tools carried by the end slides;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the means for adjusting the slides to accomm-odate boxes of different lengths and Widths;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation taken along the plane 10 10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation taken along the plane 11- 11 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a series of curves useful in explaining one phase of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an improved cam for controlling the cycle of operation of the machine.

Referring to FIG. l, there is shown a box wrapping machine 10 embodying the present invention. The drive for the machine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a drive motor 11 preferably having a Idouble-end shaft 12, one end of which is adapted to drive auxiliary equipment such as, for example, a vacuum pump utilized in connection with automatic box transfer mechanism while the other end of the shaft 12 is provided with a pulley 14 which cooperates with a belt 15 to provide a variable speed belt drive through a clutch 16 on a shaft 17. As may be seen in FIGS. l and 4, the shaft 17 is connected at its left-hand end with a speed reducer comprising a worm 18 and a worm gear 19 respectively secured to shaft 17 and to a vertical shaft 20 which runs at one revolution per cycle of the machine 10. The main operating cam for the machine 10 comprises a barrel cam 21 which is mounted for rotation on shaft 20.

As thus far described, the drive for the machine 10 is supported by the machine frame which comprises a plurality of steel plates including front and rear plates 23 and 24, FIG. 6, which are interconnected by plate 25 and connecting bar 26 at the right-hand end thereof. The left-hand ends of the front and rear plates 23 and 24 are connected by a series of bars or cross members 27-30, FIG. 2, which also provide support for a pair of vertical column plates 32, 33. Between the column plates 32 and 33 at the upper ends thereof, there is provided a vertical bearing plate 34 having at its outer end a main plunger bearing 35 secured by loosely tting bolts 36. The opposite end of the vertical bearing plate 34 is provided with a plurality of openings through which extend a plurality of threaded rods 37 secured in place by nuts 38. The threaded rods 37 in cooperation with nuts 39 secure the bearing plate 34 between the vertical column plates 32 and 33. The vertical bearing 35 is adapted to receive an upper plunger 40 which is provided with a form F and cooperates with a form block or platen P on a lower plunger 41 which is spring-biased and reciprocates vertically in a bearing 42 securely mounted on two pairs of cross-bars 43, 44, FIG. 6, which in turn are secured to the front and rear plates 23, 24 of the machine frame. By adjusting the bearing plate 34 relative to threaded rods 37 and securing it in place by nuts 39, it will be seen that this arrangement in combination with the adjustable bolts 36 permits quick and e-asy positioning of the bearing 35 in all required directions for precise alignment of the upper plunger 40 with the lower plunger 41. After the bearing 35 has been properly aligned, the bolts 36 and the nuts 39 are securely tightened and dowel pins 45, FIGS. 1 and 6, are inserted to prevent any movement of the bearing 35 from its final position. Thus, it will be seen that the present machine provides precisely aligned bearings for the upper and lower reciprocating plungers by using relatively simple structural plates thereby eliminating the time-consuming machining operations formerly utilized on machine frames of cast construction.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, it will be seen that the drive for the upper plunger 40 is provided by the main cam 21. The main cam 21 is provided with two tracks 21a and 2lb, FIG. 2. The lower` track 21a imparts movement to the main cam lever 45 through a cam follower lever 45a both of which are secured to a shaft 46 at one of their ends, FIGS. l and 2. The main cam follower lever 45a at its free en-d includes a cam follower 45h, FIG. 2, which rides in the main cam track 21a, the shape of which is described later in connection with FIG. 13. The ends of shaft 46 are journaled in bearings carried by the pair of vertical column plates 32, 33. A second shaft 48 also is supported on bearings carried by the lower ends of the vertical column plates 32, 33. The shaft 48 has secured thereto an auxiliary plunger lever 49 and an auxiliary cam follower lever 49a, the latter including a cam follower 49b which is adapted to ride in the track 2lb of the main cam 21. Thus it will be seen that movement of the cam follower levers 45a and 49a in their respective cam tracks 21a and 2lb will impart corresponding motion to the main cam lever 45 and auxiliary plunger lever 49.

As may be seen in FIG. l, the free end of main cam lever 45 is connected by way of a vertical rod 51 to a main plunger lever 52 at the near end of the machine 1t) as viewed in FIG. l. The main plunger lever 52 is pivoted at one end upon a shaft 53 carried by the upper ends of the vertical column plates 32 and 33. The opposite end of the main plunger lever 52 is connected to a link 54 which completes connection with a stud 55 in the main plunger 40 for vertically reciprocating movement of the latter. The link 54 is provided with a slot 54a for receiving the pivoted connection 52a of lever 52. The connection 52a is adapted to be adjusted lengthwise of the slot 54a by means of a hand knob 56 and the pivot 52a locked in position relative to slot 54a by means of a locking lever 57, FIG. 1. The form block structure F comprises a middle or main form block MF and an upper or complemental form block UF. The middle form block MF is connected to the lower end of the plunger 40 by means of a plate which ts within an opening or recess of the upper form block and which is attached to the lower end of the plunger 40 by means of an extension 60 in the form of a spur. The upper form block UF is secured to a plate 63 at the lower end of inner rods 64 which pass through guide blocks 65 and 66 at the upper and lower ends of plunger 40. The inner rods 64 comprise a plunger for the auxiliary or upper form block UF and the upper ends of the inner rods 64 are connected with the upper end of the plunger 40 by means of a compression spring disposed within the upper end of plunger 40 which normally maintains engagement between the upper and middle form blocks as shown in FIG. 1. The form block construction is similar to that described and illustrated in Nitsch Patent 2,000,712 and in Rider et al., Patent 2,074,561.

The bearing 35 is also provided with openings to receive a pair of stripper yoke rods 68, the lower ends of which are connected to a stripper yoke 69 which supports a plurality of stripper rods 70. The stripper rods 70 are adapted to be actuated through passages extending through the upper a-nd middle form blocks as indicated in FIG. 1 to remove a completed box from the form.

Actuation of the stripper yoke 69 and the auxiliary plunger including the rods 64 is provided by the upper cam lever 49 which connects by way of vertical rod 71 with the auxiliary plunger lever 72 which is pivotally carried on shaft 53 at the upper ends of the vertical column plates 32, 33. The outer end of the lever 72 is connected to a link 73, FIG. 3, the lower end of which is connected to the stripper yoke 69.

As pointed out above, it has been the practice heretofore to provide at least two different models of box wrapping machines to handle boxes of different depths. For example, one machine was used to handle a box range of medium depths, such as up to a maximum of 3%" and a second machine was provided to handle boxes having depths greater than 3%. It will be understood that use of the latter type of machine, due to the resulting speed limitations, is not economically practical for the manufacture of boxes of lesser depth. The present invention permits the wrapping of a complete range of box depths by changing the plunger stroke. It is to be understood that in box wrapping machines, the bott-om position of the stroke, i.e., the top of the form F, is always the same. This is necessary because of the operations of the box wrapping tools as hereinafter to be described more in detail.

To accommodate boxes of a wide range of depths, the main plunger lever 52 is provided with two holes 52a, 52b intermediate its ends. These holes are adapted to receive a connecting pin 75 which connects lthe upper end of the vertical rod 51 to the lever 52. With the pin 75 in the position shown in hole 52a, FIG. 1, the box wrapping machine can wrap boxes of greater depth. For example, in one application the box wrapping machine constructed in accordance with the present invention and having the pin in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 was capable of wrapping boxes up to a depth of 4%. For boxes of less depth, for example where the maximum depth is approximately one inch less than the maximum depth of boxes wrapped with pin 75 in the position illustrated in FIG. l, the pin 75 is inserted through the second hole 52h to connect the rod 51 to lever 52 at that point. This results in a decrease in the stroke of plunger 40 providing smoother operation and potentially higher speed of the machine whil-e the stroke of the auxiliary plu-nger, carrying stripper yoke 69, and the bottom position of the main plunger lever 52 remain the same. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the vertical bearing plate 34 is provided with an opening 34a to permit access to the pin 75 and the associated holes 52a, 52h i-n the lever 52 for changing the length of stroke of the plunger 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, it will be seen that the box wrapping machine 10 is provided with a pair of side slides 80, 81 and a pair of end slides 82, 83. The side slides 80, 81 are of identical construction and consist essentially of two spaced heavy steel plates 85, FIG. 7, which are contoured at 85a, FIG. 1, to clear various box wrapping tools which are carried by the end slides 82, 83 and particularly when the machine is adjusted to wrap smaller boxes. The plates 85 are braced by heavy bars and covered by sheet metal guards 87, FIGS. 2 and 3. Since side slides 89 and 81 are of identical construction,

the two pairs of steel plates 85, 85 which are used in each of the side slides and 81 may be stacked one on top of the other and machined simultaneously thus reducing the number of machining operations. Inasmuch as the side slides 80 and 81 are identical, it is believed su'lcient to describe only one of them, slide 80, in detail.

Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the opposite side plates are provided with a series of aligned openings which are adapted to receive plunge-rs for operating the Various box wrapping tools.

At the upper end of the side slide 80, there is provided a pair of rods 88 which at their outer ends support a brush roll 89 which is adapted to wipe the flaps of the adhesive coated wrapper up against the side walls of the setaup box as the box and wrapper assembly is moved downwardly by the plunger 40 and form blocks =UF and MF, FIG. 1. Beneath the roll 89, FIG. 7, is a pair of corner lap plates 90, only one shown in FIG. 7, which are carried by a pair of rods 91. Beneath the corner lap plates 90 is a turn-in finger 92 which is carried by a pair of rods 93. Beneath the turn-in linger 92 is a presser block 94 which is carried by a pair of rods 95. When the box and wrapper assembly reaches the bottom of the stroke of the main plunger, the upper fonn block UF is raised and the turn-in ngers 92 move inwardly to turn the tops of 4the flaps into the interior of the box. The upper form UF then moves down as the turn-in ngers move back to the position shown in FIG. 7 and the upper form moves into the inside of the box causing the ends of the aps to be bent downwardly and against the inside of the side walls of the box. The presser blocks 94 move against the outer surface of the side walls and press the box against the upper form UF which is now inside the box. The various box wrapping tools, 89, 90, 92 and 94 are operated by plate cams 97, 98, 99 and 100 all secured to a vertical shaft 101, journaled in bushings 102 and 103. Each of the rods 88, 91, 93 and 95 is provided with a cam follower 10S-108, respectively, which are adapted to engage the plate cams 97-100 respectively. The cam followers 10S-108 are maintained against the respective cams 97-100 by means of biasing springs 119-112.

As may be seen in FIG. 7, the lower end lof the shaft 161 is provided with a worm gear 115 which mates with a worm 116 carried on the outer surface of a sleeve 117, the ends of which are supported by bearings 118 in the opposed side plates 85, 85. Extending through the sleeve 117 is a shaft 119 having a keyway 121a extending along the length thereof which is adapted to receive an elongated key 21 vfor locking the sleeve 117 and thus the worm 116 to the shaft 119. The key 121 is secured to the sleeve 117 and thus when the side slides 80, 81 are moved relative to shaft 119, the key 121 will move lengthwise of shaft 119 along with the worm 116. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the vertical shafts 101 are driven by a sprocket 123 on shaft 17 through a chain 124, sprocket 125, right angle unit 126 and a sprocket 127 with a chain 128 engaging a reducing sprocket 129 on the horizontal slide shaft 119 which is journaled in a bearing 119e, FIG. 4. As previously pointed out in connection with FIG. 7, the horizontal slide shaft 119 is provided with a key slot and slideably secured to the latter within the slide housings 80 and 81 are the worm 116 and the worm gear 115 to drive the vertical shafts 101 which turn through one revolution per cycle.

The end slides 82 and 83 are of .generally similar construction to the side slides 80, 81 but are differently contoured to provide clearance for the side slide rolls 89 and corner lap plates 90 carried by the side slides 80 and 81. As may be seen in FIG. 8, the end slides 82, 83 consist essentially of two heavy steel plates 135, 135 which are braced by heavy bars covered by sheet metal guards. The upper ends of the end slides 82 and 83 provide support lfor the reciprocating members 136 of an automatic box and wrapper transfer mechanism. Such mechanism is generally of the type which is adapted to reciprocate between a box and wrapper conveyor and the wrapping station of the box wrapping machine to bring a box and wrapper assembly into the path of the form blocks Iot the box wrapping machine. Any suitable transfer mechanism may be utilized and the details `of such mechanism do not form part of the present invention. However, by way of example, suitable transfer mechanisms are described and claimed in Lange et al. Patent 2,705,905.

Since the end slides 82 and 83 are identical and since the side plates 135 thereof are also identical, the four side plates 135 may be stacked together and machined simultaneously in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the side plates 85 for the side slides 80 and 81. As may be seen in FIG. 8, the side plates 135 are provided with bearings which support rods 140, 141 and 142 which respectively support at their inner ends, end slide roll 143, turn-in nger 144 and presser block 145. The wrapping tools 143-145 are each operated respectively by plate cams 146, 147 and 148 all secured to the vertical shaft 149 which is journaled in bushings 150 and 151. Each of the rods 140- 142 is provided with a cam follower 140a-142a which is held against the respective cams 140-142 by springs 154 and 155. The lower end of the vertical shaft 149 is provided with a worm gear 156 which mates with a worm 157 carried on the outer surface of a sleeve 158, the ends of which are supported by bearings 159 in the side plates 135. Extending through the sleeve 158 is a horizontal shaft 161 having a keyway 163a extending along the length thereof and which is adapted to receive a key 163 secured to the sleeve 158 and thus to the worm 157. When the end slides 82 and 83 are adjusted lengthwise of the horizontal shaft 161 to accommodate boxes of diiferent sizes, the key 163 moves lengthwise of the slot in shaft 161 along with the worm 157 and the worm gear 156. Thus it will be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 that the worms 116 and 157 and their mating worm gears 115 and 156 will be maintained in proper relationship at all times and including the period when the side slides 80, 81 and end slides 82, 83 are being adjusted to different positions to accommodate boxes of diiferent widths and lengths respectively.

Referring to FIGS. l and 4, it will be seen that the vertical shafts 149 of the end slides 82, 83 are driven by a sprocket 165 on shaft 17 `through a chain 166 and -reducing sprocket 167 on the horizontal slide shaft 161 journaled in bearing 161:1, FIG. 4. Slideably secured to the shaft 161 by means of keys 163, FIG. 8, are the worms 157 and worm gears 156 to drive the vertical shafts 149 which also run at one revolution per cycle.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, the track for the side slides 80 and 81 is formed by the cross-bars 44 which interconnect the front and rear plates 23 and 24 of the frame of the machine 10. The side slides 80 and 81 are provided with slide bars 170 and 171, FIG. 7, which are secured to the side plate 85 by screws 172 and 173, respectively. The slide bars 170 and 171 extend across both of the track bars 44 and rest on the upper edges of the bars 44. Another bar 175 is arranged below bar 170 and is secured to the side plate 85 by a bolt 176. A vertically disposed bolt 177 extends through the upper slide bar 170 and is threaded into the lower bar 175 to provide a clamp for securing the side slides in xed position. When the bolt 177 is loosened, this permits adjustment of the side slides for various widths of boxes. Tightening of the bolts 177 clamps the slide housings 80 and 81 securely to the cross-bars or track 44.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, similar tracks are provided for the end slides as by the pairs of bars 178 and 179 which intersect the track formed by lthe bars 44. The end slides 82 and 83 are provided with similar slide and clamping arrangements as previously described for the side slides in connection with FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the end slides 82, 83 are provided with slide bars 180 and 181 which are secured to the side plates by screws 182 and 183, respectively. The slide bars and 181 are adapted to extend across the tracks formed by the corresponding bars 178 and 179y FIG. 6. Another bar 184, FIG. 8, is arranged below the bar 180. The bar 184 is secured to the side plate 135 by a bolt 185. A bolt 186 extends through the top bar 180 and is threaded at its lower end into the lower bar 184. When the bolt 186 is loosened, this permits adjustment of the end slides 82 and 83 along the respective tracks 178 and 179, FIG. 6, for various lengths of boxes. Tightening of the bolt 186 clamps the end slides 82 and 83 securely to the respective tracks formed by bars 178 and 179.

The present invention also provides a novel arrangement for adjustment of the end slides and side slides to accommodate boxes of different lengths and widths. In prior box wrapping machines, the adjustment of the slides was made by pushing or pulling the slides manually to the desired position. While the slides could be adjusted relatively quickly in this manner, it was nearly always necessary to make the final precise adjustment by tapping the slides back and forth until they were positioned properly. In some instances, adjustment screws were used and while such screws provided accurate adjustments, nevertheless they were exceedingly slow to use. Both methods required that the operator move to four different positions while adjusting the four different slides. The present invention provides an arrangement which permits the operator to adjust all four slides quickly and accurately lby the use of a mechanical advantage from one central station.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, there is shown the mechanism for controlling the adjustment of the end slides 82, 83 and side slides 80, 81 from a central control station. Adjustment of the side slides 80 and 81 is controlled respectively by levers 190, 191. Adjustment of the end slides 82 and 83 is controlled respectively by levers 192 and 193. Each of the levers 190-193 is provided with a knob for ease in operation. As may be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, secured to one of the support bars 43 is a pair of brackets which pivotally support a pair of levers 196 on a fulcrum pin 197. Attached to a horizontal front bar 198, FIGS. 9 and l0, is a bracket 199, FIG. l0, which pivotally supports the adjusting lever 193 on a pin 200. The levers 193 and 196 are connected by a link 201. The upper ends of levers 196 are slotted at 196a and engage sholdered studs 203, FIGS. 9 and l0, secured to the ends of the support bar 181e of the left-hand end slide 83, FIG. 9. It will be noted that clockwise movement of the operating lever 193 about pivot 200 will move the left-hand end slide 83 toward the center line of the machine, i.e., the axis of the plungers and that counterclockwise movement of the operating lever 193 will move the left-hand end slide 83 away from the center line of the machine. The fulcrum points have been so selected that the slide 83 moves only one-half of the distance which is travelled by the knob on lever 193 thereby providing the combination of a quick and accurate slide adjustment. The adjustment of the right-hand end slide 82 is accomplished by pushing or pulling the operating lever 192, fulcrumed on pin 200 through a link connection 205 with a pair of levers 206 fulcrumed on pin 207. The upper ends of levers 206 are slotted at 206e, FIG. l0, to engage shouldered studs 208 secured to the opposite ends of slide support bar 180. As may be seen in FIG. 9, the pin 207 is supported at its opposite ends by bar 198 and bar 198a and the pin 207 carries the second lever 206 which is adapted to engage at its slotted end the second shouldered stud 208 carried by the opposite end of the slide support bar 180, FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. l1, it will be seen that adjustment of the side slides 80 and 81 is accomplished in a similar manner. Secured to bars 43 are brackets 210 which pivotally support a pair of levers 211 on fulcrum pin 212.

9. The operating lever 191 is pivoted on a pin 213 carried by a bracket 214 supported on bars 43 and the levers 191 and 211 are interconnected by a link 215. The upper ends f lever 211 are provided with slots 211:1 which are adapted to engage shouldered studs 217 carried by the ends of support bar 171:1, FIG. 11. Thus, it will be seen that movement of the operating lever 191 in a clockwise direction will move the side slide 81 away from the center line of the machine while rotation of the operating lever 191 in a counterclockwise direction will move the side slide 81 toward the center line of the machine. Here again by selection of the fulcrum points the slide 81 moves only one half the distance which is travelled by the knob of operating lever 191 so as to provide the combination of a quick accurate slide adjustment. The adjustment of the other side slide 80, FIG. ll, is accomplished by pushing or pulling the knob on lever 190 which is also fulcrumed on pin 213. Lever 190 is connected by a link 220 to a pair of levers 221 fulcrumed on a pin 222 which is carried at its opposite ends by brackets 223 secured to the support bars 43. The upper ends of levers 221 are slotted at 221:1 to engage shouldered studs 224 carried at the opposite ends of the slide support bar 170.

As may be seen in FIG. 9, all of the operating levers 190-193 are located at the same corner of the machine and thus all four slides of the machine are operable from a single station. This construction eliminates the need for the operator to move completely around the machine adjusting each of the slides and thus minimizes the time required for changing the machine over to wrap a different size of box.

As previously described in connection with FIG. 1, the plunger 40 is operated by the main cam lever 52 while the auxiliary cam lever 72 operates the stripper yoke rod 68. At the upper end of the plunger 40 and carried by the upper ends of the inner rods 64 is a form separating plate 230 having rubber bumpers 231 on the lower side thereof which are adapted to engage the upper ends of the stripper yoke rods 68. As previously pointed out, the middle form MF is supported by the spur 60 at the lower end of the plunger 40. The upper form UF is carried by the lower ends of the inner rods 64 and the two forms UF and MF are held together by means of a strong spring disposed in the upper end of the plunger 40. When the main cam lever 52 moves downwardly, the plunger 40 moves down along with the form separating plate 230 and the inner rods 64. Thus, it will be seen that both the upper form UF and the middle form MF move downwardly together before separation. When the form separating plate 230 has been moved into engagement with the upper ends of the stripper yoke rods 68, further movement of the plunger 40 in a downward direction will cause the upper form UF to be separated from the middle form MF. These two parts of the form block F by being vertically separable from each other along the horizontal axis thus permits the turn-in of wrappers around the box during the wrapping operation.

Heretofore in box wrapping machines of this type utilizing a separable form block, two methods of operation have been utilized. In one method, it has been the practice to move the main cam lever and the auxiliary cam lever in such directions that the form separating plate and the stripper yoke rods were moving toward each other at the time of impact. Such method has been illustrated graphically in Graph A, FIG. l2. In a second method of operation which has been utilized heretofore, the main cam lever and the auxiliary cam lever have been operated so that the stripper rods were stationary at the time of impact from the form separating plate due to downward movement of the main plunger. Such method has been shown graphically in Graph B, FIG. 12. Both of these prior methods of operation caused substantial vibration of the various rods and plunger of the wrapping machine which necessarily limited the maximum speed of operation of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the method of operation is such that the vertical separation of the upper form block UF from the middle form block MF takes place with a minimum impact thereby minimizing the vibration and permitting increased speed of operation of the box wrapping system. This method of operation is accomplished by operating the main cam lever and the auxiliary cam lever in such manner that both the form separating plate 230 and the stripper yoke rods 63 are moved concurrently in a downward direction prior to the time that they are brought into engagement and during their engagement. Such method of operation is schematically illustrated in FIG. l2 Where Graph C, showing direction of movement plotted as the ordinant against cycle time as the abscissa, shows that the main cam lever M (52) and the auxiliary cam lever A (72) are both moving down but at different rates of speed, the main cam lever M moving down at a higher rate of speed than the auxiliary cam lever A. Thus, it will be seen .that the form separating plate 230 carried by the plunger 40 and operated by the main cam lever 52 is being moved down faster than the stripper yoke rods 68 which are operated by the auxiliary cam lever 72 and the point of impact between the form separating plate 230 and the upper ends of the stripper yoke rods 68 takes place at the intersection of the curves M and A in Graph C of FIG. l2. The prior methods of operation have been diagrammatically illustrated in Graphs A and B of FIG. l2.

The type of prior operation diagrammatically illustrated in Graph A of FIG. l2 is more fully described in Rider et al. Patent 2,074,561.

Having briey described the portion of the cycle of the box wrapping machine during which the upper form UF and the middle form MF are separated, there will now be described the complete operating cycle of the machine.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a diagram of the main cam groove 21a and the auxiliary cam groove 2lb. Since both the main cam lever 52 and the auxiliary cam lever 72 are the same type of levers and are operated through identical linkages, the slopes of the cam grooves 23a and 23h in FIG. 13 will correspond directly to the direction of movement of the ends of the levers 52 and 72 which are connected to the plunger 4t) and the stripper yoke 69 respectively.

As may be seen in FIG. 13, the cycle of the cam runs from right to left through 360. During the lirst portion M1 of the cycle, the main lever 52 is moving downwardly causing the plunger 40 to move downwardly so that the rolls 89 on the side slides 80 and 81 wipe up the side panels of the wrapper against the sides of the box. At point M2 the corner lap tools 90 on the side slides 80 and 81, FIG. 7, move in While the main plunger is at dwell. At point M3, FIG. 13, the plunger 40 moves down and out of engagement with the corner lap 4tools 90 during which time the rolls 143, FIG. 8, wipe up the end panels of the Wrapper against the ends of the box. While the end panels were being wiped up by the rollers 143, it will be noted that the auxiliary plunger lever which had been previously moving down at a slow rate of speed, portion A1 of track 2lb, was stationary during a period of dwell at A2. After the end panels are wiped up against the ends of the box both the auxiliary lever and the main cam lever continue to move down but at diterent rates of speed until a point of engagement between the form separating plate 230 and the upper ends of the stripper yoke rods 68, FIG. l. This point of engagement is indicated in FIG. 13 by points A4 and M4 on respective cam curves. Since both the form stripping plate 230 and the yoke rods 68 are moving down at the time of their engagement, the impact is very slight and thus there is imparted a minimum of vibration to the various rods on the plunger and stripper mechanisms. At point A5, the direction of the cam track reverses to provide reverse direction of movement for the yoke 69 to increase the separation distance between the upper form UF and the middle form MF. At this time the main plunger 40 is continuing to move down until point M5 where the main cam lever starts a period of dwell. At point A6 there will have been attained full separation of the upper form UF and the middle form MF and while the forms are separated, the turn-in fingers 92, FIG. 7, and 144, FIG. 8, move in between the separated forms to push the upper ends of the wrapper panels toward the inside of the box. At point A7 the auxiliary lever starts to move down and the upper form UF engages the turn-in fingers and the turn-in fingers start to move out from between the forms. At point A8 the upper form UF and the middle form MF are back together again and the main cam lever has reached the end of its dwell at point M6. The auxiliary cam lever starts its period of dwell while the main cam lever moves down slightly to point M7 to bring the upper edge of the box in alignment with the top of presser blocks 94, FIG. 7, and 145, FIG. 8. Between points M7 and M8 the presser blocks apply hard pressure against the side walls and end Walls of the box tightly to secure the wrapper thereto. After point M8 the plunger is moved upwardly by the main cam lever during which time the stripper rods remove the box from the form F. At point M9 the upper form UF and the middle form MF are completely out of the box. At point A9 the auxiliary cam lever moves up and the stripper rods start up until at point A10 the rods are completely out of the box. During the remaining portion of the cycle, both the main cam lever and auxiliary cam lever dwell to permit loading of the box machine with a new box and wrapper assembly by the box and wrapper transfer mechanism as disclosed in the aforesaid Lange et al. Patent 2,705,905.

Since the form block F includes two separable parts, upper formI UF and middle form MF, and since the ends of the adhesive coated wrappers must be inserted between these sections of the form block during the wrapping operation, it sometimes becomes necessary to remove pieces of paper or adhesive from the engaging faces of these forms. In order to perform this operation, provision has been made manually to separate the upper form UF from the middle form MF while the machine is stationary. Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that there is provided a Vertical bracket extension member 250 secured to thel vertical plunger bearing 35 as by bolts 251. At the upper end of the extension 250 there is provided a pivoted lever 252 fulcrumed on pin 253 which extends through member 250. One end of lever 252 is connected by way of a rod 254 to a hand lever 255, the latter being carried by the vertical plunger bearing 35. The opposite end of lever 252 is provided with a cam surface 252a which is adapted to engage a roller 256 supported by a tubular member 257. The upper end of the tubular member 257 is provided with two holes 257e and 257b. The tubular member 257 is held in position by means of a set screw passing through one of these holes and threaded into the form separating plate 230. When the member 257 is in the position illustrated, the set screw passes through the upper opening 257a. This is the correct position when the rod 51 connects with the hole 52a in the main cam lever 52. When the connection of rod 51 to lever 52 is in hole 52b for the shorter length of stroke, the tubular member 257 should be connected to the form separating plate 230 by the lower hole 257b. This is due to the fact that the overall height of the plunger 40 will be in a lower position when the connection is made to the main cam lever 52 in opening 52b. This changes the relative positions of the roller 256 with respect to its operating cam 252a. However, by raising the tubular member 257 so that the connection to the form separating plate 230 is made through hole 257b there is maintained the same relationship between cam 252a and the roller 256.

In order to separate the upper form UF from the middle form MF, the operator moves the handle 255 downwardly causing the lever 252 to pivot -in a clockwise direction against the bias of a spring 258 and causing the cam surface 252a to engage the roller 256. Continued clockwise rotation of lever 252 raises the tubular member 257 and the form separating plate 230 connected thereto which causes the inner rods 64 to raise the upper form UF with respect to the middle form MF thereby permitting access to the area between the forms UF and MF. When the lever 255 is released, the spring 258 will return the lever 252 to the position shown in FIG. l causing the form separating plate 230 again to return to its normal position shown in FIG. l bringing the upper form UF again into contact with the middle form MF. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the provision for dual stroke length operation of the main cam lever 52 is associated with the dual position arrangement for the manual form block separat-ing mechanism.

It shall be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements shown and that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A box wrapping machine comprising a base frame, a lower plunger supported for vertical movement with respect to said base fra-me, a pair of column plates extending above said base frame, a bearing plate supported between said column plates, an upper plunger carried by said bearing plate for reciprocation relative to said lower plunger, and means to adjust said bearing plate to align said upper plunger with said lower plunger.

2. A box wrapping machine according to claim 1 wherein said bearing plate is carried by a plurality of threaded rods supported at the upper end of said column plates, and means to lock said bearing plate in adjusted position along sa-id threaded rods.

3. A box wrapping machine comprising a base frame, a pair of column plates extending above said base frame, a bearing plate supported between said column plates at the upper ends thereof, a barrel cam supported by said base frame, said barrel cam including a main cam track and an auxiliary cam track, main cam lever means cooperating with said main cam track, auxiliary cam lever means cooperating with said auxiliary track, a main plunger lever pivotally supported at the upper ends of said column plates, an auxiliary plunger lever pivotally supported at the upper ends of said column plates, first rod means interconnecting said main cam lever with said main plunger lever, second rod means interconnecting said auxiliary cam lever with said auxiliary plunger lever, plunger and stripper means carried by said bearing plate, and means interconnecting said auxiliary plunger lever with said stripper means and said main plunger lever with said plunger.

4. A box wrapping machine according to claim 3 wherein said main plunger lever includes a pair of spaced connection means alternately engageable with said first rod means to change the length of stroke of said plunger.

5. A box wrapping machine comprising a base frame, a pair of spaced bars forming a track extending across one pair of opposed sides of said frame, a second track formed by spaced bars extending across the other opposed sides of said frame and intersecting with said lirst track, a plunger dispose-d for vertical movement on the axis of the intersection of said tracks, a pair of slides carried -by one of said tracks yand disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, a second pair of slides carried by the other of said tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, and each of said slides including a plurality of box wrapping tools projecting therefrom in the direction of said plunger.

6. A box wrapping machine comprising a pair of end sl-ides and a pair of side slides arranged around a reciprocable form block wherein each of said slides includes a vertical shaft, a plurality of cams on each of said shafts associated with cam followers for operating box wrapping tools, a worm gear carried by the lower ends of each of said vertical shafts, a pair of cross shafts supporting worms in engagement with each of said worm gears, said i3 worms being adjustable lengthwise of said shafts concurrently with their respective worm gears upon adjustment of said slides relative to said form block.

7. A box wrapping machine comprising a base frame, a track extending across one pair of opposed s-ides of said frame, a second track extending across the other opposed sides of said frame and intersecting with said first track, a plunger disposed for vertical movement on the axis of the intersection of said tracks, a pair of slides carried by one of said tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, a second pair of slides carried by the other of said tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, each of said slides including a plurality of box wrapping tools projecting therefrom in the direction of said plunger, each of said slides including a vertical shaft, a plurality of cams on each of said shafts associated with cam followers for operating said box wrapping tools, a worm gear carried by the lower ends of each of said Vertical shafts, and a pair of cross shafts supporting worms in engagement with each of said worm gears.

8. A box wrapping machine including a form comprising an upper form block and a lower form block vertically separable from each other along a horizontal plane for permitting the turn-in of wrappers .around a box during a wrapping operation, a main cam lever connected to one of said form sections, an auxiliary cam lever connected to box stripping means, a form separating member connected to said main cam lever and adapted `for engagement with said box stripping means, and cam means for controlling the movements of said cam lever and said auxiliary cam lever so that said form separating means and said box stripping means are moved concurrently in the same direction prior to the time they are brought into engagement and during their engagement to cause vertical separation of the upper form block from the lower form block with minimum impact thereby minimizing vibration of said stripping means.

9. A box Wrapping machine comprising a main plunger lever, a plunger connected to said main plunger lever, an auxiliary lever, box stripping means connected to said auxiliary lever, means for operating both of said levers to reciprocate said plunger and said box stripping means through a stroke of predetermined length, and means for changing the length of stroke of said plunger Without changing the length of stroke of said box stripping means.

10. A box wrapping machine comprising a form block having vertical separable upper and lower components, a plunger carrying both of said components but aixed only to the lower one of said components, means to reciprocate said plunger between upper and lower limits delining a predetermined length of stroke, and means to change the length of stroke of said plunger without changing the said lower limit.

11. A box Wrapping machine comprising a form block having vertical separable upper and lower components, a plunger carrying both of said components but affixed lonly to the lower one of said components, means to reciprocate said plunger between upper and lower limits defining a predetermined length of stroke, means to change the length of stroke of said plunger without changing the said lower limit, abutment structure movable with one of said components, mechanism loperable during operation of said machine to separate said cornponents, and means normally inoperative, operable by an operator to separate said components comprising a pivoted member normally out of the path of said abutment structure, adjustable means carried by said abutment structure, means for pivoting said member to engage and move said adjustable means and said abutment structure, and said adjustable means being adjustable lengthwise of said plunger to maintain the same relative position with respect to said pivoted member regardless of the length of stroke of said plunger.

12. A box wrapping machine comprising a base frame,

a track extending across one pair of opposed sides of said frame, a second track extending across the other opposed sides of said frame and intersecting with said first track, a plunger disposed for vertical movement on the axis of the intersection of said tracks, a pair of slides carried by one of said tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, a second pai-r of slides carried by the other of said tracks and disposed on the opposite sides of said plunger, each of said slides including a plurality of box wrapping tools projecting therefrom in the direction of said plunger, and lever means connected with each of said slides, said lever means being operable from a central station to adjust each of said slides independently relative to the axis of said plunger.

13. A box wrapping machine 4according to claim 12 wherein each of said slides includes a vertical shaft, a plurality of cams on each of said shafts associated with cam followers for operating the respective box wrapping tools, a worm gear carried by the lower ends of each of said vertical shafts, a pair of cross shafts supporting worms in engagement with each of said worm gears, said worms being adjustable lengthwise of said shafts concurrently with their respective worm gears upon adjustment of said lever means.

1-4. A box wrapping machine according to claim 13 wherein said cross shafts include elongated keyways and each of said worms includes a key carried thereby and slideable lengthwise of said keyways in the respective shafts.

x15. In a box wrapping system including a form block comprising two parts vertically separable from each other along a horizontal plane for permitting the turn-in of wrappers around a box during the wrapping operation, the method of operating one of the form sections from a main cam lever and the other of said form sections `from an auxiliary cam lever, the main cam lever including a form separating plate and the auxiliary cam lever supporting stripper yoke rods wherein the form separating plate and the stripper yoke rods are moved concurrently in a downward direction prior to the time they `are b-rought into engagement and during their engagement to cause vertical separation of the upper form block from the lower form block with minimum impact thereby minimizing vibration and permitting increased speed of operation of the box wrapping system.

16. A box wrapping machine comprising a frame, a lower platen in said frame, means reciprocably mounting lan upper plunger assembly on said frame, said upper plunger assembly having relatively movable upper and lower form blocks, a reciprocating box stripping assembly on said frame, means for reciprocating said upper plunger assembly, and means for independently reciprocating said box stripping assembly at a descending speed slower than that of said upper plunger assembly reciprocating means, opposed end slides and side slides on said frame, laterally shiftable box wrapping tools including turnover tools on said side and end slides, respectively, for sliding between said upper and lower form blocks, and means connected to said upper form block for engaging means connected to said box stripping assembly as the latter descends, for causing said upper form block to thereafter descend with said box stripping assembly, thereby causing separation of said upper form block from said lower form block during the descent of said upper plunger and box stripping assemblies, for accommodating said turnover tools.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,829,063 10/1931 Secicehdore 93-54.2 1,987,627 l/ 1935 Kreider 93-542, 2,009,285 7/ 1935 Arnrbruster 93-54.2

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. 

3. A BOX WRAPPING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE FRAME, A PAIR OF COLUMN PLATES EXTENDING ABOVE SAID BASE FRAME, A BEARING PLATE SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID COLUMN PLATES AT THE UPPER ENDS THEREOF, A BARREL CAM SUPPORTED BY SAID BASE FRAME, SAID BARREL CAM INCLUDING A MAIN CAM TRACK AND AN AUXILIARY CAM TRACK, MAIN CAM LEVER MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID MAIN CAM TRACK, AUXILIARY CAM LEVER MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID AUXILIARY TRACK, A MAIN PLUNGER LEVER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED AT THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID COLUMN PLATES, AN AUXILIARY PLUNGER LEVER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED AT THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID COLUMN PLATES, FIRST ROD MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID MAIN CAM LEVER WITH SAID MAIN PLUNGER LEVER, SECOND ROD MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID AUXILIARY CAM LEVER WITH SAID AUXILIARY PLUNGER LEVER, PLUNGER AND STRIPPER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BEARING PLATE, AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID AUXILIARY PLUNGER LEVER WITH SAID STRIPPER MEANS AND SAID MAIN PLUNGER LEVER WITH SAID PLUNGER. 